State police are being credited with preventing the suicide of a homeless man who was threatening to jump from an overpass onto Interstate 70.

Lt. Brian Dolan said it happened about 9:40 p.m. Tuesday on the Jessop Place overpass in Canton Township, Washington County.

The 40-year-old man had climbed over a guide rail and was threatening to jump into the traffic below, Dolan said.

“It was a large railing. He was sitting on it with his feet hanging over the railing onto the interstate. He did make several comments that he did want to jump,” said Dolan.

One trooper distracted the man by negotiating with him, while Dolan and another sneaked up from behind and put the man in a bear hug to pull him back from the edge of the bridge.

“Cpl. Lou Reda and I were able to make our way up to the subject, and when he was distracted, we were able to grab him and safely bring him off the bridge,” said Dolan.

Dolan said the man thanked the troopers for their efforts afterward.

“He did. He was kind of upset. He said, 'Why didn't you guys just let me jump?' We explained that's not our role. We were there to save him and make sure he got the help he needed,” said Dolan. “It's always nice to know you helped somebody when they were in trouble.”

Westbound traffic on I-70 was stopped for about an hour, and backups stretched for almost five miles at one point during the incident.

The man was taken to a hospital and faces unspecified charges. He has not been identified publicly.